Matthew 5:11
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Study Note
Study Note
This beatitude, uniquely elaborated in the second person ('ye') and expanded beyond all others, turns persecution for Christ's name into a mark of divine favour. The phrase 'falsely' in many manuscripts guards against romantic glorification of genuine fault — only slander for righteousness' sake carries the promised reward. The comparison to the prophets ('so persecuted they the prophets before you') situates the disciples within Israel's long tradition of rejected messengers, granting their suffering historical legitimacy. 1 Peter 4:14 develops the same logic: the Spirit of glory rests on those who bear reproach for Christ's name, transforming social humiliation into pneumatological honour.
Other Translations
Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
`Happy are ye whenever they may reproach you, and may persecute, and may say any evil thing against you falsely for my sake--
Happy are you when men give you a bad name, and are cruel to you, and say all evil things against you falsely, because of me.
Cross References
Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you …
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that …
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God …
And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for …
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the …
But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be …
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, …
And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall …